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📰 Local News: 🚨 Mentor's Flock Cameras Raise Privacy Questions as Police Defend Their Results

🚧 Mentor Avenue Phase 2 Advances With $4 Million Resurfacing Plan

📆 Reminder: Mentor Schools Town Hall Thursday: Consolidation Decisions on Hold, Levy Vote Nears

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A resident questions who controls vehicle data while city officials point to arrests, missing-person cases and safeguards.

Mentor's Flock Safety cameras drew renewed scrutiny at Tuesday night's City Council meeting, October 20, as a resident urged officials to reconsider the city's contract with the company behind its license plate-reading system.

The resident, speaking about Flock for the third time before council, said his concerns center on how the private company handles vehicle information—not the conduct of Mentor police officers. He also questioned whether residents understand what the cameras collect and where that information goes.

Police officials defended the technology, citing cases in which the cameras reportedly helped locate a kidnapped Mentor resident in West Virginia, find missing older adults and identify violent-crime suspects.

The department's 2025 annual report credits Flock-assisted police work with 99 arrests, nine stolen vehicles recovered and three missing people located.

City Manager Kenneth Filipiak said Mentor maintains a 30-day retention policy for ordinary license plate records, restricts system access and audits its use. He said officials were unaware of misuse involving Mentor's system. An automated feature also flags potentially suspicious searches, officials explained.

But the discussion left important questions about how information is retained by Flock, which outside agencies may access it and how residents can verify the safeguards.

Council took no action to cancel or modify the contract.

➡️ Why does Mentor still use a 30-day Flock data policy when the company now recommends just seven? Our full report examines what the cameras collect, who can access the information, what police records reveal—and the important privacy questions that remain unanswered.

Another long-awaited stretch of Mentor Avenue is a step closer to repaving — but drivers will have to wait a little longer for a construction schedule.

Mentor City Council voted Tuesday, October 20, to authorize a final application for state assistance toward Phase 2 of the road's resurfacing project. The city estimates the work will cost approximately $4 million and is seeking an $825,000 grant and a $150,000 loan through the Ohio Public Works Commission.

The proposed work would cover two sections of Mentor Avenue between Garfield Road and a point approximately 525 feet west of Hopkins Road. Not every block in between is included.

The important exception: The section from Center Street (Route 615) to roughly 200 feet east of Hart Street would be skipped. City officials said it was paved in 2017 and is still in good condition.

For the remaining areas, the work would go beyond a new asphalt surface. Plans include deeper pavement repairs where needed, curb and drainage-structure repairs, new pavement markings and updated radar-based detection at traffic signals.

The city previously identified 2027 as the target for the second phase, subject to funding. An exact start date, completion date and nighttime work schedule have not been announced. The overnight hours used for Phase 1 should not be assumed for Phase 2.

Council's vote authorizes the funding application; it does not mean the requested grant has been awarded or construction is about to begin.

➡️ Which sections will be resurfaced — and which will be skipped? See our detailed project-area map, the proposed funding breakdown, a Phase 1 comparison and what drivers still need to know about the 2027 schedule in our complete website report.

Mentor families and residents have another opportunity to hear about upcoming school changes and the November operating levy when Mentor Public Schools holds a town hall Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m. at Hopkins Elementary School.

The meeting is the final scheduled session in a three-part community series focused on school consolidation and Issue 5, the district's proposed five-year, 3.5-mill operating levy on the November 3 ballot.

One important development has emerged since the earlier discussions.

At the October 13 Board of Education meeting, district officials announced that final decisions about which elementary school buildings will close would be delayed until after the election.

The proposed restructuring for the 2027–28 school year would place kindergarten through third grade in four elementary schools, grades 4–7 at Memorial and Shore middle schools, and eighth graders at Mentor High School.

District officials say consolidation will move forward regardless of the levy outcome. If Issue 5 fails, the district says at least $9.6 million in additional budget reductions would be necessary.

Thursday's meeting details:

For parents and residents following the changes, Thursday's meeting offers an opportunity to hear the district's plans and raise questions before Election Day.

Find small openings in the activities you already do, with choices that fit your abilities.

You sit down to answer one email. The next time you look up, you have cleared half your inbox, paid a bill and started comparing refrigerator filters. Plenty has happened. Your body has barely changed position.

That is the pattern worth noticing: ordinary tasks quietly joining into one long stretch of sitting.

You do not need to turn the afternoon into a fitness project. Start by finding a transition that already belongs to your day.

After finishing a document, you might walk to refill your glass before opening the next file. When an episode ends, pause before starting another. Put down your knitting at a natural stopping point and choose a comfortable change of position.

The useful question is, “Where does this task give me an opening?”

The World Health Organization advises limiting sedentary time and replacing some of it with physical activity, including light activity. Its guidelines do not establish a single break interval that everyone should follow.

Standing is not the only option. If you need to remain seated, familiar, comfortable arm or leg movements may provide an opportunity to move. Follow any care instructions you already have, and ask a clinician or physical therapist about suitable options if you are unsure.

A change of posture and physical activity are not interchangeable, either. Adjusting your position may address comfort; adding movement is a separate choice. Neither needs to become a competition.

Pick one task to notice today: desk work, television, reading or a hobby. Identify its next reasonable stopping point. Decide what, if anything, fits your abilities and surroundings.

If that moment passes, use another opening. There is no missed-break debt to repay.

As our Make Room for Movement series concludes, the invitation is simple: let the day have a few more transitions for your body, too.

➡️ Where could movement fit into your day? Our complete Live Better guide maps six everyday situations to natural pauses, offers seated and supported alternatives, and includes a simple card for choosing one opportunity that fits you.

Mentor High School — Girls Volleyball

Mentor swept a 20-win Strongsville team on the road Tuesday, October 20, winning 25–15, 25–18, 25–15.

The Cardinals improved to 13–7 with their second consecutive victory, following Saturday’s win over Pine-Richland. Strongsville dropped to 20–2.

Mentor held the Mustangs to 18 points or fewer in every set. The Cardinals are scheduled to host Archbishop Hoban on Thursday, October 22, at 6:30 p.m.

Mentor High School — Girls Cross Country

Two Cardinal runners stand among the leading performers in their regional field, according to OhioVarsity’s October 20 postseason preview.

Carmella Curtis’ season-best 18:33.6 ranks third among runners assigned to the Division I Boardman Regional. BriAnn Carroll’s 19:33.4 ranks 12th.

Mentor’s supporting group includes Ava Dietrich (20:17.1), Delayna Sotock (20:29.3) and Ariana Chipps (20:44.3). All five have reported season bests under 20:45.

Those times were recorded at different meets and provide context for the competition ahead. State qualification will be determined by finishes at the regional meet.

After winning the Greater Cleveland Conference team championship, Mentor’s girls turn their attention to the Boardman Regional on October 31.

🐝 Buzz Fact: The hardest part of getting in shape after 40 isn't the exercise. It's figuring out whether you're sore from yesterday's workout, sleeping wrong, or simply existing.
Answer: Google

Don’t judge too soon? LOL - this is great.